Parkland Plans To Leash Dogs That Like To Bite

PARKLAND - — Residents who keep bad dogs should get ready to buy leashes and build pens after the City Commission tentatively passed a law restricting the animals.

In a rare split vote, commissioners adopted an ordinance requiring that all dogs that have bitten someone be kept indoors or within enclosures that children can't enter.

The enclosures must also protect the animals from the elements.

If the dog is free of the enclosure, it must be muzzled or on a leash at least 6 feet long.

The law, which must be passed on a final vote, also defines as a "public nuisance" any dog that has bitten someone more than once. An animal with that designation could be permanently banished from the city.

Owners who fail to comply with the terms of the law face a fine of $500 a day, or possible criminal prosecution in Broward County Court. The city may also seek a judge's order forcing the dog's owner to comply.

Police dogs are exempt from the ordinance.

Voting in favor of the law were Mayor Sal Pagliara and Commissioners Ricky Gordon and Bobbi Pugliese. Voting against were Vice Mayor Robert Marks and Commissioner Karyl Partridge.

Marks said he felt the law was not enforceable and not specific enough in its definitions of what a vicious dog is.

"I think it's too broad," Marks said. "By being so broad, it might open itself to abuse, neighbor to neighbor. I felt the ordinance needed more work."

Partridge also felt the proposed law lacked hard definitions of what could be considered a vicious dog. "I'm afraid that it's not black and white," she said.

"You could have a little Shih Tzu chasing down the block yipping and that could be considered a vicious dog."